PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - by Leslie Broockman

One In A Series of Short Tales by a Veteran Consignment Store Owner

'No act is an act in isolation. Good and bad acts have a ripple effect. They set off a chain reaction of consequences both positive and negative.' - Unknown

I found an assortment of things in the breast pockets of a man's suit when looking for size labels. A nail clipper, airline stubs, a couple of dollars and a few photographs. I sealed everything in a zip lock bag to return to the consignor.

When she came to collect a check for her husband's suits I produced the packet from a desk drawer, proud of myself for remembering. The Mrs. turned the bag over holding the photographs for a closer look. She literally swooned into a nearby chair.

Alarmed I ran around the desk. "Are you okay? Can I help you in anyway?" I thought she was having some kind of an attack.

Tears in her eyes, she looked at me, hands trembling. "That's my husband!" she cried pointing to a do-it-yourself, arms-length photo of a couple kissing. 

"Oh!", I said, not understanding the significance. Waving the picture in my face she yelled, "That's the master bedroom in our beach house!"

I still didn't make a connection.

The distraught woman poked the picture with a long, red nail. "That's not ME he's kissing! That b****!," she flared, "is...WAS...my best friend!"

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Note: We stopped taking men's suits on consignment about 18 years ago!  And,  it's always a good idea to check out the pockets and insides of purses and containers before consigning with us!